2 guns, No. 2 Mountain Battery.[[110]] 280 bayonets, 5th Punjab Infantry. 280 bayonets, 5th Gurkhas.
The first and second columns, advancing on the 9th November from Kohat and Gumbat and by Tortang and Gandiali respectively, met at Turki, and moved in combination upon Paia, which was occupied after but insignificant opposition. Meanwhile, the third column had pushed forward from Shadipur through the Namung Pass, finding the enemy holding the ridges on the right of the exit from the defile; these were quickly driven off, and the column moved on to Kakhto and there entrenched. On the 12th the third column was again engaged, and the 13th and 15th were occupied in the destruction of towers about Zal-Beg and in the Paia Valley, the main body then moving to Shindih and Turki. There was very heavy rain between the 16th and 25th, but a good deal of reconnaissance and survey work was carried out. No further military operations were, however, possible until the 1st December, when an advance on Jamu had been decided upon. As it appeared that heavy loss must accompany any retirement from Jamu after its capture, Brigadier-General Keyes suggested that his operations should be assisted by the advance of a force from Peshawar upon Bori: this was agreed to.
Combined Operations
On the 1st December the force under General Keyes, divided into three columns, left camp at 4 a.m. The right column moved to the plateau to the north-east of the camp in the direction of Paia; the centre column advanced towards Bagh and Saparai; while the third, or left, moved by a high ridge to a point to the north-west of the camp. The general advance commenced at 6.30 a.m.; the enemy were completely surprised and, although they had constructed breastworks, did not in any place attempt to make a stand. They were driven into and beyond the two villages of Shahi Khel, close to the Nara Khula defile, where the Jamu Valley is very narrow, and these villages were then occupied by our troops and finally burnt. The force then fell back and bivouacked at Saparai and Bagh. On the 2nd and 3rd the Jamu Valley was surveyed and the Bazid Khel Kotal reconnoitred, and on the 4th the village of Bagh was burnt, the whole force now bivouacking in its vicinity.
Meanwhile, the operations from the Peshawar side had been delayed and hampered by the weather. Heavy rain caused a flood on the Indus, the bridge of boats at Attock was destroyed and communications with Rawal Pindi were interrupted, so that it was not until the 3rd December that the Peshawar column was concentrated and ready to move forward into the Jawaki country. This force was under Brigadier-General C. C. G. Ross, C.B., and was composed as under:
FIRST BRIGADE.
Colonel J. Doran, C.B.
Three guns, I/C R.H.A. 51st Regiment. Two Companies Sappers and Miners. 22nd Punjab Native Infantry. 27th Punjab Native Infantry.
SECOND BRIGADE.
Colonel H. Buchanan.